October 11, 2016 By Adele Rankin
More research and discussion has been generated about Millennials than any other demographic in recent memory since Generation X. Determining what draws them to a certain product, and perhaps more importantly, what keeps them coming back, is the focus for everyone from hotel brands to retailers. Restaurateurs can also learn a few lessons ...Read more about this post
October 7, 2016 By Geoff Wilson
Success in the restaurant business can be elusive. What’s more, success means different things to different people. Some operators want to just make a living. Others have loftier goals – maximization of market share, achievement of targeted return on investment and so on. Regardless of one’s definition of success, the basics in the ...Read more about this post
October 4, 2016 By Kristin Menas
In this edition of “concepts to watch,” we highlight three restaurant concepts that are making an impact on Canadian diners. Here’s a look at the characteristics and menu offerings that make these restaurants unique:
Kupfert & Kim
Instagram: 9,156 followers | Facebook: 4,310 likes | Twitter: 1,500 followers
Locations: 6 (Toronto)
Concept characteristics:
Specializes in plant-based, wheat-free and ...Read more about this post
September 12, 2016 By Alex Fraser, Cheryl Gardner and David Hopkins
The future of Canadian foodservice holds some exciting new opportunities but a few familiar challenges as well. Fresh new concepts with diversified menu offerings, along with innovations in technology, social media and marketing platforms will gain momentum. However, familiar challenges such as a weak Canadian dollar, acquiring and ...Read more about this post
September 8, 2016 By Kristin Menas
Below we will highlight some of the leading menu trends to watch on Canadian menus in September.
Korean barbecue
About the trend: Operators are rolling out pork sandwiches, wings and other meat-focused items made with specialty Korean-inspired barbecue sauces
Featured at quick-service and casual-dining restaurants
Korean mentions are up 34.6 per cent overall on menus in the ...Read more about this post
August 25, 2016 By Jennifer Gausby
I was running late for work one morning, but was in desperate need of a jolt of caffeine. Thanks to Starbucks’ “mobile order and pay” application, I placed my double tall, non-fat latte order en route, and when I arrived at my local Starbucks my prepaid latte was ready and waiting for me. ...Read more about this post
August 5, 2016 Celebrate the Olympics foodie-style with Brazilian menu favourites
By Kavita Sabharwal
Although the opening ceremony is set to take place on the evening of August 5th, it’s not too late for your restaurant to get into the competitive spirit of the upcoming 2016 Olympic Games. The Games are taking place in Rio de Janiero, Brazil, where food ...Read more about this post
August 2, 2016 By Mark Dempsey
When was the last time you visited a quick-service chain, a sit-down restaurant, or a supermarket? Depending on your answer, it may or may not come as a surprise to you that total traffic to the Canadian commercial foodservice marketplace was flat this last year versus the year before.
While traffic is down, dollar ...Read more about this post
July 25, 2016 By Jasmine Kafka
Fast casual restaurants have the perfect recipe for families-on-the-go: convenient, fast and often featuring healthy meal options. Plus, no clean up! The question is, how do you create a meaningful connection with your customer when their visits are brief and interactions are minimal?
Fast and fantastic first impressions
It may be cliché but first impressions ...Read more about this post
July 22, 2016 By Kavita Sabharwal
Pokémon Go, the tremendously popular augmented reality game, was officially released in Canada on July 17. Since then, sidewalks and public spaces near PokéStops have been often overrun by kids and adults alike, all with their heads bent over their phones, trying to catch ‘em all.
This craze that has been sweeping the nation ...Read more about this post
July 5, 2016 By Sean Beckingham
Food delivery services are becoming more popular in Canada, and we’re not just referring to pizza and Chinese take-out. Food delivery apps offer worry-free, hassle-free ways to get a wide range of meals from fast-casual places and popular restaurants.
UberEATS entered the market back in February 2015, capitalizing on their successful Uber driving services. ...Read more about this post
June 20, 2016 By Kristin Menas
In this edition of “concepts to watch,” we highlight three restaurant concepts that are making an impact on Canadian diners. Here’s a look at the characteristics and menu offerings that make these restaurants unique.
Flock Rotisserie + Greens
Instagram: 3,205 followers | Twitter: 448 followers
Locations: 3 (Toronto)
Concept characteristics:
Quality, healthy rotisserie chicken and specialty salads
Free-range birds ...Read more about this post
June 6, 2016 By Hugh Johnston
With food inflation at a troubling 3.9 per cent year-over-year in the third quarter of 2015, operators have more reason than ever to be concerned about rising food costs. Leading the way were beef (up 12 per cent), fresh vegetables (up 11.5 per cent) and pasta (up 10.5 per cent). If you make ...Read more about this post
June 1, 2016 By Roger Mittag
Glassware is one of those intangible items in hospitality that is often taken for granted. For centuries in North America, beer glassware has not been given a second thought. However, things have changed for the better.
Breweries are now developing glassware that is designed to enhance the flavour and aromatic profile of the beer ...Read more about this post
May 18, 2016 By Kristin Menas
The following trends will continue to make a big impact on restaurant menus this year. Below we will highlight some of the leading menu trends to watch on Canadian menus.
Pretzels
About the trend: A number of operators are experimenting with pretzels beyond pretzel buns, including the use of this salty snack as a breading ...Read more about this post
